My aunt was shot and killed by her husband, please crime experts hear the evidence and give me your thoughts..

My aunt was shot and killed by her husband, please crime experts hear the evidence and give me your thoughts..

So they have a history of domestic abuse, he claims she was handing him a 9 mm gun and it accidentally went off and shoots directly through her temple, side to side. He has threatened to kill her numerous times. They were married over 20 years, and it made all the local news. We were all at the hospital when she died and the coroner sent her to the crime lab. Two days later the detective on the case told me they knew for sure she did not shoot herself. Yet didn't arrest him. He came to the funeral acting over the top distraught. Talked to the detective afterwards and asked him if he had an opinion about what happened. He tells me yes, but for the integrity of the case, he can't share and also doesn't want the family in an uproar bc he's waiting on additional crime scene and autopsy tests to be completed. Does this sound right?? Seems open and shut to me. Please crime experts weigh in!

A little background- in the months prior to her death he called certain family asking for dirt on her and even offered money..his control seemed to be unraveling. He has always had a drinking problem and was very violent, but he was not drinking the day of the shooting.

Well, they probably are waiting for some forensic results - they want/need actual proof before they can arrest him as the Prosecutor will generally not take cases without evidence. Also, it is possible they are watching him now to see if he does anything supsicious. They do that. I think you all can hire a private investigator to review the evidence as well.

Not only do they need all the results of testing, they have to present the case to the DA, who has to review everything and decide what, if any, charges to file. I'd expect there to be a search warrant served for more evidence, shortly.

I have a hard time believing that someone handing a gun over, butt first (which is very common) would then turn their head and somehow pull the trigger accidentally.

I'd venture to say a physical tussle, yes, accidentally discharged. There is a certain amount of stippling of GPR around wounds at very close range.....that would tell them fairly definitively (after review by experts) whether or not the gun was within (her) arms reach. JMO armchair opinion.

I hope he is arrested. It sounds to me like they're waiting on some information that will make it next to impossible for him to squirm out of it. They may not do all of their own processing and the testing might be in a queue waiting to be handled and sent back.

Guenwyfar

"Karma is like a rubberband.. it can only stretch so far before it comes back and smacks you in the face."

"Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition."

"Religion is like a penis, it's fine to have one and be proud of it, but when you take it out and wave it in my face, that's when we have a problem."

Well, they probably are waiting for some forensic results - they want/need actual proof before they can arrest him as the Prosecutor will generally not take cases without evidence. Also, it is possible they are watching him now to see if he does anything supsicious. They do that. I think you all can hire a private investigator to review the evidence as well.

Quoting: scorpio66

They said crime scene evidence and autopsy results...I also considered they may have him under surveillance too. But I don't see what they need beyond him lying about her shooting herself. He was the only one there.

I hope he is arrested. It sounds to me like they're waiting on some information that will make it next to impossible for him to squirm out of it. They may not do all of their own processing and the testing might be in a queue waiting to be handled and sent back.

Quoting: Guenwyfar

It as been sent to the only crime lab in Georgia apparently. The GBI handled it.

Temple to temple would suggest self inflicted at first glance, they would consider this though not ruling out the only other 2 scenarios being he did it, or it was accidental. They would investigate if she had any past incidents of depression, 20 years married in an unhappy and sometimes abusive house would certainly show it. Chances are she did it, he said accident to avoid insurance clause on suicides, but that's just my opinion. Sorry nonetheless

Not only do they need all the results of testing, they have to present the case to the DA, who has to review everything and decide what, if any, charges to file. I'd expect there to be a search warrant served for more evidence, shortly.

I have a hard time believing that someone handing a gun over, butt first (which is very common) would then turn their head and somehow pull the trigger accidentally.

I'd venture to say a physical tussle, yes, accidentally discharged. There is a certain amount of stippling of GPR around wounds at very close range.....that would tell them fairly definitively (after review by experts) whether or not the gun was within (her) arms reach. JMO armchair opinion.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 27867107

To note- his first story was that he was cleaning the gun, she angrily grabs it, points it at him, then holds it to her own head and it goes off. Made no sense, she is super religious and wouldn't take her own life. He changed that version quickly.

I would suspect that he has been tested for gun shot residue. IF he has shot a gun, it will be evident by this.

They may also have done testing on her body- and, waiting for final autopsy results which could reveal other injuries (which may have been sustained during a struggle). I suspect they also would have done a gun residue test on her hands.

They would also try and figure out the bullet's trajectory (where it was shot from and where it ended up) as well as the length of time between her getting shot and his call to 911.

The time period before arrest seems normal to me. They can not arrest with appropriate charges. Appropriate charges can't be made without all of the evidence.

I am by no means an 'expert' and don't know how long these tests take, necessarily... However, I do work in the courts and this would be my best guess.

Temple to temple would suggest self inflicted at first glance, they would consider this though not ruling out the only other 2 scenarios being he did it, or it was accidental. They would investigate if she had any past incidents of depression, 20 years married in an unhappy and sometimes abusive house would certainly show it. Chances are she did it, he said accident to avoid insurance clause on suicides, but that's just my opinion. Sorry nonetheless

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 26088715

But the detective said they knew with certainty she did not shoot herself from the autopsy. And no insurance policy existed.

I would suspect that he has been tested for gun shot residue. IF he has shot a gun, it will be evident by this.

They may also have done testing on her body- and, waiting for final autopsy results which could reveal other injuries (which may have been sustained during a struggle). I suspect they also would have done a gun residue test on her hands.

I am by no means an 'expert' and don't know how long these tests take, necessarily... However, I do work in the courts and this would be my best guess.

Temple to temple would suggest self inflicted at first glance, they would consider this though not ruling out the only other 2 scenarios being he did it, or it was accidental. They would investigate if she had any past incidents of depression, 20 years married in an unhappy and sometimes abusive house would certainly show it. Chances are she did it, he said accident to avoid insurance clause on suicides, but that's just my opinion. Sorry nonetheless

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 26088715

If she did it, she should have had gunpowder residue on her hands. That's probably why they knew she didn't do it.

So they have a history of domestic abuse, he claims she was handing him a 9 mm gun and it accidentally went off and shoots directly through her temple, side to side. He has threatened to kill her numerous times. They were married over 20 years, and it made all the local news. We were all at the hospital when she died and the coroner sent her to the crime lab. Two days later the detective on the case told me they knew for sure she did not shoot herself. Yet didn't arrest him. He came to the funeral acting over the top distraught. Talked to the detective afterwards and asked him if he had an opinion about what happened. He tells me yes, but for the integrity of the case, he can't share and also doesn't want the family in an uproar bc he's waiting on additional crime scene and autopsy tests to be completed. Does this sound right?? Seems open and shut to me. Please crime experts weigh in!

A little background- in the months prior to her death he called certain family asking for dirt on her and even offered money..his control seemed to be unraveling. He has always had a drinking problem and was very violent, but he was not drinking the day of the shooting.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23760635

What kind of history of DV?Restraining order in place?

OMI report in yet...what is the coroner's opinion on cause of death, manner of death?

Gunshot residue analysis of your Aunt's body where the bullet impacted her head. When a gun is fired it expels gasses and residue through the barrel and through examining the point of impact, a forensic examiner can make a determination as to how far away the barrel of the gun was when it was discharged (if it were close enough to leave behind residue).

If the gun when off when he was handing it to her, then the forensic examination should show that the gun was minimum of a couple feet away from the point of impact on her body. If this act were murder, then it would be likely that your Uncle held the gun up to her head and pulled the trigger and a trained forensic examiner should be able to determine this based on the analysis of gunshot residue.

P.S. sorry to hear about your loss and I hope your family finds justice.

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger"

Temple to temple would suggest self inflicted at first glance, they would consider this though not ruling out the only other 2 scenarios being he did it, or it was accidental. They would investigate if she had any past incidents of depression, 20 years married in an unhappy and sometimes abusive house would certainly show it. Chances are she did it, he said accident to avoid insurance clause on suicides, but that's just my opinion. Sorry nonetheless

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 26088715

If she did it, she should have had gunpowder residue on her hands. That's probably why they knew she didn't do it.

So they have a history of domestic abuse, he claims she was handing him a 9 mm gun and it accidentally went off and shoots directly through her temple, side to side. He has threatened to kill her numerous times. They were married over 20 years, and it made all the local news. We were all at the hospital when she died and the coroner sent her to the crime lab. Two days later the detective on the case told me they knew for sure she did not shoot herself. Yet didn't arrest him. He came to the funeral acting over the top distraught. Talked to the detective afterwards and asked him if he had an opinion about what happened. He tells me yes, but for the integrity of the case, he can't share and also doesn't want the family in an uproar bc he's waiting on additional crime scene and autopsy tests to be completed. Does this sound right?? Seems open and shut to me. Please crime experts weigh in!

A little background- in the months prior to her death he called certain family asking for dirt on her and even offered money..his control seemed to be unraveling. He has always had a drinking problem and was very violent, but he was not drinking the day of the shooting.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23760635

What kind of history of DV?Restraining order in place?

OMI report in yet...what is the coroner's opinion on cause of death, manner of death?

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 27865411

Well he has beat her up a lot, family would get her in shelters, she always went back. One time he threatened to kill her and their children and was arrested- sent to a psych hospital and labeled homicidal and suicidal. No full autopsy report yet. Only know for sure it wasn't self inflicted from the lead detective.

Gunshot residue analysis of your Aunt's body where the bullet impacted her head. When a gun is fired it expels gasses and residue through the barrel and through examining the point of impact, a forensic examiner can make a determination as to how far away the barrel of the gun was when it was discharged (if it were close enough to leave behind residue).

If the gun when off when he was handing it to her, then the forensic examination should show that the gun was minimum of a couple feet away from the point of impact on her body. If this act were murder, then it would be likely that your Uncle held the gun up to her head and pulled the trigger and a trained forensic examiner should be able to determine this based on the analysis of gunshot residue.

P.S. sorry to hear about your loss and I hope your family finds justice.

So they have a history of domestic abuse, he claims she was handing him a 9 mm gun and it accidentally went off and shoots directly through her temple, side to side. He has threatened to kill her numerous times. They were married over 20 years, and it made all the local news. We were all at the hospital when she died and the coroner sent her to the crime lab. Two days later the detective on the case told me they knew for sure she did not shoot herself. Yet didn't arrest him. He came to the funeral acting over the top distraught. Talked to the detective afterwards and asked him if he had an opinion about what happened. He tells me yes, but for the integrity of the case, he can't share and also doesn't want the family in an uproar bc he's waiting on additional crime scene and autopsy tests to be completed. Does this sound right?? Seems open and shut to me. Please crime experts weigh in!

A little background- in the months prior to her death he called certain family asking for dirt on her and even offered money..his control seemed to be unraveling. He has always had a drinking problem and was very violent, but he was not drinking the day of the shooting.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23760635

What kind of history of DV?Restraining order in place?

OMI report in yet...what is the coroner's opinion on cause of death, manner of death?

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 27865411

Well he has beat her up a lot, family would get her in shelters, she always went back. One time he threatened to kill her and their children and was arrested- sent to a psych hospital and labeled homicidal and suicidal. No full autopsy report yet. Only know for sure it wasn't self inflicted from the lead detective.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23760635

I am very sorry for your loss.I would think that once the Medical Investigator's report comes back and manner + cause of death are noted that charges may be filed.

State statutes are different, but I would expect this to bring at the very least manslaughter charges, possibly second or first degree Murder.

Getting a conviction however is a different story and will depend on your District Attorney's interest in the case.

Not only do they need all the results of testing, they have to present the case to the DA, who has to review everything and decide what, if any, charges to file. I'd expect there to be a search warrant served for more evidence, shortly.

I have a hard time believing that someone handing a gun over, butt first (which is very common) would then turn their head and somehow pull the trigger accidentally.

I'd venture to say a physical tussle, yes, accidentally discharged. There is a certain amount of stippling of GPR around wounds at very close range.....that would tell them fairly definitively (after review by experts) whether or not the gun was within (her) arms reach. JMO armchair opinion.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 27867107

To note- his first story was that he was cleaning the gun, she angrily grabs it, points it at him, then holds it to her own head and it goes off. Made no sense, she is super religious and wouldn't take her own life. He changed that version quickly.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23760635

If he is changing stories it is because he is telling stories. Sounds guilty.